Laparoscopic forceps assembly

ABSTRACT

A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end with a distal opening, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal opening, the jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other; wherein each of the jaws has an arcuate section; an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and one or more spacing members extending across the distal opening of the tubular member and between the jaws; wherein the jaws are closable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws towards each other so that the tubular member advances over the arcuate section of the jaws, and the jaws are openable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws away from each other so that the one or more spacing members extend between the jaws and the jaws are moved apart.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to forceps with a spacing member between twoopposing jaws, a tubing member with a non-circular profile, or both.

BACKGROUND

Generally forceps may be utilized for laparoscopic surgery. The forcepsmay be used to control delicate movements inside a patient. Theseforceps may be used to grip an anatomical feature. The forceps mayinclude a gripping assembly or a cutting assembly. The forceps mayinclude electrical energy for use in the gripping assembly. The forcepshave a pair of opposed resilient jaws that are closed against each otherby pulling the jaws into a distal end of a shaft that captures a portionof the jaws that is wider than the distal end opening of the shaft sothat the jaws are moved together. Similarly the shaft may be pushed overthe jaws so that the jaws are moved together to create a gripping force.In both of these the shaft captures the jaws and acts as a cam thatforces the jaws together to create the gripping force. Examples of someforceps with resilient jaws closed by a camming action may be found inU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,458,598; 5,735,849; 5,445,638; 6,190,386; 6,113,596;and 6,679.882 and HALO cutting forceps, available athttp://www.olympus-osta.com/halo.htm last accessed on Apr. 3, 2014 allof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for allpurposes.

Some laparoscopic forceps include jaws that have two legs that areconnected at a distal end forming a gap between the two legs so that ablade can travel down the gap in center of the two opposing jaws. Duringthe camming of the jaws, the jaws may be moved into contact with theblade creating a drag force which may prevent the blade from movingand/or may cause misalignment of the blade. Further, the camming forceon the opposing jaws may not be equal and the uneven application offorces on the opposing jaws may cause the distal ends of the jaws to bemisaligned during gripping.

The laparoscopic forceps after the jaws are released and the jaws are nolonger constrained by the shaft typically move apart. This opening forcemay be used to push apart tissue by extending the closed jaws proximateto tissue and then allowing the jaws to open so that tissue is moved.However, some of the laparoscopic forceps when released from a closedposition do not have a sufficient amount of force to move tissue fordissection. Other active dissection tools allow the user to open andclose the jaws through mechanical linkages. These mechanical linkagesgenerally allow the user some control over the amount of force appliedto the tissue. However, the mechanical linkages include multipledelicate parts that are difficult to assemble, are expensive, andresults in a complex device to move tissue.

It would be attractive for the forceps to include a device that controlsthe movement between the two opposing jaws. What is needed is a devicethat assists in biasing the jaws and maintains alignment of the blade.What is needed is a device that opens the jaws. It would be attractiveto have a device that spreads the jaws with sufficient force so that thejaws can be used for dissection. What is needed is a device that spreadsthe jaws and does not interfere with a reciprocating blade.

SUMMARY

The disclosure meets one or more of the needs by providing: alaparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal endportion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of thehandpiece, the tubular member having a distal end with a distal opening,a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular memberand partially protruding from the distal opening in the distal end ofthe tubular member, the pair of jaws and the tubular member beingmovable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the tubular member; wherein each of the pair of jaws has anarcuate section; an operable mechanism for creating relative motionbetween the pair of jaws and the tubular member along a directionparallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, and one or morespacing members extending across the distal opening of the tubularmember and between the pair of jaws; wherein the pair of jaws areclosable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the pair ofjaws towards each other so that the tubular member advances over thearcuate section of the pair of jaws, and the pair of jaws are openableby the relative movement of the tubular member and the pair of jaws awayfrom each other so that the one or more spacing members extend betweenthe pair of jaws so that the pair of jaws are moved apart.

The disclosure provides: a laparoscopic forceps comprising: a handpieceincluding a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from thedistal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distalend, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubularmember and partially protruding from the distal end of the tubularmember, the pair of jaws and the tubular member being movable relativeto each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of thetubular member; wherein each of the pair of jaws has an arcuate section,and the pair of jaws are closable by advancing the tubular member overthe arcuate section of the jaws; and an operable mechanism for creatingrelative motion between the pair of jaws and the tubular member along adirection parallel to the axis of the tubular member, wherein at leastthe distal end of the tubular member has a profile shape that isnon-circular.

A laparoscopic forceps comprising: (a) a handpiece; (b) a jaw biasmechanism; (c) a tubular member including: (i) an outer tube, and (ii)an inner tube, wherein the outer tube and inner tube are configured forrelative axial motion when acted upon by the jaw bias mechanism; and (d)two or more jaws that extend out of the tubular member and the two ormore jaws pivot on a common axis that is anchored to the inner tube;wherein the outer tube, during actuation of the jaw bias mechanism,overruns the two or more jaws so that the two or more jaws are movedtowards bias.

A laparoscopic forceps comprising: (1) a handpiece; (2) a jaw biasmechanism; (3) a tubular member including: (i) an outer tube, and (ii)an inner tube, wherein the outer tube and inner tube are movablerelative to each other when acted upon by the jaw bias mechanism; (4)jaws extending from the tubular member and at least partially throughthe tubular member; and (5) a biasing element that biases the inner tubeand outer tube relative to each other so that the biasing element biasesthe jaws open; wherein the jaws pivot on one or more axes that areanchored to the inner tube; and wherein the outer tube overruns the jawsso that the jaws are moved towards each other.

The present teachings provide: the laparoscopic forceps include acamming shaft that is located in the distal end of the tubular member;the one or more spacing members are a pair of opposing pins that includea blade recess therebetween, one continuous spacing member that extendsacross the distal opening of the tubular member, or both; the one ormore spacing members include a generally mushroom shape and/or arecrimped material of the tubular member, the camming shaft, or both; theone or more spacing members are one or more bars that extend out of thedistal opening of the tubular member along the longitudinal axis of thetubular member; the one or more bars each include a bulbous portion atan end that increases a size of each of the one or more bars so thatwhen the bulbous portion contacts the pair of opposing jaws, the legs ofthe jaws, or both the jaws are moved apart; the laparoscopic forcepsinclude a blade and the blade has a pin recess that extends along thelongitudinal axis of the tubular member, and the one or more spacingmembers extend through the pin recess so that the blade is extendableand retractable; the jaws include a pivot joint that the jaws rotateabout to open and close; an inner tube extends within all or a portionof the tubular member; a biasing mechanism for maintaining the jaws inan open state; the common axis is a pin that connects each of the two ormore jaws to the tubular member; the laparoscopic forceps include ablade and the blade includes a pin recess that receives a portion of thepin so that the blade is movable along a longitudinal axis of thetubular member; a spacing member is connected to the outer tube so thatthe spacing member drives the jaws apart; the profile shape is part ofthe tubular member and the profile shape of the tubular sectiongeometrically constrains the pair of jaws, the legs of the jaws, or bothso that the jaws are moved towards each other as the tubular member ismoved along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member; the profileshape is two flat sides that are generally parallel to each other; theprofile shape is two opposing scalloped contours that resist lateralmovement of the jaws, the legs of the jaws, or both; the scallopcontours are generally half circular in shape with a maximum height atsubstantially a center of a length of the scalloped portion, and whereinthe opposing scalloped contours extend towards each other; the profileshape is a pair of flattened surfaces on a top surface and a bottomsurface and a pair of flattened surfaces on a pair of opposing sidesurfaces located adjacent the top and bottom surfaces, and a gap extendsbetween the pair of flattened surfaces on the top and bottom surface andthe pair of flattened surfaces on the pair of opposing side surfaceslocated adjacent the top and bottom surfaces; the gap is a blade recessthat is sufficiently large so that a blade of the laparoscopic forcepsextend longitudinally through the blade recess and out the distal end ofthe tubular member; substantially all of the tubular member has agenerally circular cross-section and the distal end of the tubularmember includes a camming shaft that creates the non-circular profileshape; the camming shaft is connected to an internal wall of the tubularmember at the distal end of the tubular member; the distal end of thetubular member includes a plurality of arcuate portions that form aplurality of pockets that each extend around a portion of the jaws, thelegs of the jaws, or both; a blade recess extends between at least someof the plurality of pockets; the jaws include a pivot joint that thejaws rotate about to open and close; a biasing mechanism for maintainingthe jaws in an open state; a pin is connected to the outer tube thatextends between the jaws so that upon movement of the outer tube axiallytowards a proximal end of the laparoscopic forceps, the pin moves thejaws apart; the jaws include a pivot joint and the pivot joint isconnected to one or more pins that are connected to the inner tube sothat the one or more axes are the one or more pins; a blade is locatedin the tubular member and the blade is axially movable into and out ofthe tubular member; or a combination thereof.

The teachings herein provide forceps to include a device that controlsthe movement between the two opposing jaws. The present teachingsprovide a device that assists in biasing the jaws and maintainsalignment of the blade. The present teachings provide a device thatopens the jaws. The present teachings provide a device that spreads thejaws with sufficient force so that the jaws can be used for dissection.The present teachings provide a device that spreads the jaws and doesnot interfere with a reciprocating blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of laparoscopic forceps;

FIG. 2A1 illustrates a perspective view of an end of a tubular member;

FIG. 2A2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member ofFIG. 2A1;

FIG. 2B1 illustrates a perspective view of an end of a tubular member;

FIG. 2B2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member ofFIG. 2B1;

FIG. 2C1 illustrates a perspective view of an end of a tubular member;

FIG. 2C2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member ofFIG. 2C11

FIG. 3 illustrates an end of a tubular member and/or a camming shaft;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end view of a tubular member and/or a cammingshaft;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of an end of a tubular member and/or acamming shaft;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an end of a tubular memberand/or a camming shaft;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the camming shaft of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the camming shaft of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of the camming shaft of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of jaws extending out of the cammingshaft of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of a distal end of laparoscopic forcepsshown in transparent;

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of laparoscopic forceps shown intransparent;

FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of a spacing member;

FIG. 14B illustrates an end view of the spacing member of FIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of laparoscopic forceps ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a distal end of thelaparoscopic forceps;

FIG. 17A illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft;

FIG. 17B illustrates an end of the camming shaft of FIG. 17A;

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of jaws oflaparoscopic forceps in a dosed position;

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of open jaws oflaparoscopic forceps in an open position;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a distal end of laparoscopicforceps;

FIG. 21 illustrates an end view of the laparoscopic forceps of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded view of laparoscopic forceps;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft and/or end ofa tubular member;

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a camming shaft and/ortubular member of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25A illustrates a side view of a tubular member and/or a cammingshaft;

FIG. 25B illustrates a side view of a tubular member and/or a cammingshaft;

FIG. 26 illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft located withina tubular member;

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of laparoscopic forceps thatinclude pivoting jaws;

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the laparoscopic forcepsof FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 illustrates an exploded view of laparoscopic forceps includingpivoting jaws;

FIG. 30 illustrates a close-up view of a pivoting jaw of the teachingsherein; and

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of one example of a handpiece with acover removed, the handpiece including a biasing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended toacquaint others skilled in the art with the teachings, its principles,and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt andapply the teachings in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to therequirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsof the present teachings as set forth are not intended as beingexhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachingsshould, therefore, be determined not with reference to the abovedescription, but should instead be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references,including patent applications and publications, are incorporated byreference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as willbe gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporatedby reference into this written description.

The present teachings claim priority to U.S. Provisional No. 61/889,060,filed on Oct. 10, 2013 the contents of which are incorporated byreference herein in its entirety for all purposes. The present teachingsprovide a forceps device. The forceps may function to grip an object.Preferably, the forceps may be used during surgery to grip a feature ofinterest including: a part of a body, an anatomical feature, tissue,veins, arteries, or a combination thereof. The forceps may function tobe used in surgery, for example laparoscopic surgery. The forceps may beused with or without power. Current may be passed through the forceps sothat the forceps are used for electrosurgery. For example, a therapycurrent may be passed from one jaw to a second jaw when tissue islocated within the jaw and the therapy current may coagulate blood,cauterize, cut, or a combination thereof. In another example, a therapycurrent may be passed from one or more of the jaws to a remote electrode(e.g., a return pad). The forceps may generally include one or moreworking assemblies and sufficient controls to work the one or moreassemblies. The forceps may be comprised of parts needed to perform therecited functions and may include generally, a stylet (e.g., a tubularmember, a hollow tube, or an assembly of tubes), a hand piece, one ormore operable mechanisms used to actuate the stylet, or a combinationthereof. The hand piece may be an assembly of parts or housingstructures capable of forming a hand piece structure with a cavity.

The hand piece may function to form an enclosing structure for theforceps, a gripping portion for the user, a main portion formanipulating the forceps, or a combination thereof. The hand piece maybe any device that houses the working assemblies and parts of theforceps. The hand piece may be comprised of one or more housingstructures. Preferably, the hand piece is two or more housingstructures. The hand piece may be any structure that is gripped by auser. The hand piece may be any structure that combines one or more ofthe components discussed herein so that forceps are formed. The handpiece may assist in performing laparoscopic surgery. The hand piece maybe ergonomically shaped. The ergonomic shape of the hand piece may beany shape so that the forceps may be used ambidextrously. The ergonomicshape of the hand piece may be any shape such that all the controls canbe accessed by a single hand gripping the hand piece. The hand piece maybe comprised of housing structures. The housing structures may be one ormore devices that form the hand piece. The housing structures may be anydevices that may affix certain pieces into position. The housingstructures may form a cavity to house working assemblies of the forceps.The housing structures may be one or more housing structures andpreferably two or more housing structures. The housing structures may beany device that includes a recess for receiving one or more componentsof the forceps. The housing structures may house one or more operablemechanisms.

The one or more operable mechanisms may be one or more levers. The oneor more operable mechanisms may be any device that may be manipulated ormoved by applying pressure to a portion of the one or more operablemechanisms with a hand, finger, foot, or a combination thereof. The oneor more operable mechanisms may be any device that may bias othermoveable components, for example the tubular member, a cutting assembly,a blade assembly, a functional assembly, or a combination thereof. Theone or more operable mechanisms may be biased ambidextrously. The one ormore operable mechanisms may be a single operable mechanism that may belinked to two different functions and may be biased to generate eachfunction individually or simultaneously. For example, the operablemechanism may include a double hinged pin and upon movement of the firsthinge the jaws may be actuated and upon movement of the second pin theblade may be advanced. Preferably, the one or more operable mechanismsmay be two operable mechanisms and each operable mechanism may be biasedto perform a different function. The two operable mechanisms may be aclamp operable mechanism and a cut trigger operable mechanism. Thecombination of two operable mechanisms may include a forked two-sidedcam finger, a yoke, or a combination thereof for actuating the one ormore jaws, the one or more stylets, or a combination thereof.

The one or more operable mechanisms may include one or more cam fingers.Preferably, each of the one or more operable mechanisms include a singlecam finger. The one or more cam fingers may translate movement from auser to the stylet, the blade, the jaws, or a combination thereof. Theone or more cam fingers may act upon a portion of the tubular member,the blade assembly, the jaw assembly, or a combination thereof that islocated within the hand piece. The one or more cam fingers, the tubularmember, the blade assembly, the jaw assembly, or a combination thereofmay be moved back to a starting position, moved to a predeterminedposition, or both once the one or more operable mechanisms are released.The movement back to a starting position, to a predetermined position,or both may be performed by a return mechanism that is in communicationwith the cam fingers, the operable mechanism, or both.

The return mechanism may assist in actuating one or more assemblies. Thereturn mechanism may return the one or more assemblies to a neutralposition and/or a resting position after actuation. The return mechanismmay be any device that biases the tubular member and/or stylet to aresting position so that when the tubular member and/or stylet isactuated and released from actuation the tubular member and/or styletreturns back to a resting position. The return mechanism may be and/orinclude a biasing member (e.g., a spring structure, an elastic member, acompressible member, a stretchable member, any structure that can becompressed and released, or a combination thereof). The return mechanismmay be a return spring. The return mechanism may be connected to aproximal end of a stylet, a tubular member, or both. A proximal end ofthe tubular member may be disposed in the cavity of the hand piece andone or more functional assemblies (e.g., a gripping assembly, a cuttingassembly, or both) may be located at a distal end of the stylet, tubularmember, or both.

The gripping assembly may function to create a gripping force, grip afeature of interest, or both. The gripping assembly may be one or moredevices or parts that provide a gripping force, grips one or moreobjects, or both. The gripping assembly may be any combination of partsthat may be used during surgery to grip one or more features of interest(e.g., tissue, veins, arteries, an anatomical feature, or a combinationthereof). The gripping assembly may be actuated by one or more operablemechanisms. The gripping assembly may be used in surgery, for examplelaparoscopic surgery. The gripping assembly may create a sufficientgripping force so that one or more features of interest of a patient'sbody may be manipulated by the gripping assembly, secured by thegripping assembly, or a combination thereof. The gripping assembly maybe composed of parts that may extend through the tubular member. Thegripping assembly may be an assembly of parts rotatable about an axis(e.g., a rotational axis of the gripping assembly, the longitudinal axisof the tubular member, a longitudinal axis of the gripping assembly, ora combination thereof). The gripping assembly may grip and release whilebeing simultaneously rotated. The gripping assembly may be actuated bythe actuation mechanism in communication with the gripping assembly. Thegripping assembly may be actuated by retracting the two opposing jawsinto the stylet (e.g., one or more tubular members) forcing the twoopposing jaws closed. The gripping assembly may be actuated by extendingthe one or more tubular members away from the hand piece so that the oneor more tubular members bias the two opposing jaws towards one anotherinto a closed position, creating a gripping force, or both. The grippingassembly may generally have two or more opposing jaws, and one or morejaw shafts or legs, or a combination of both. Preferably, the grippingassembly may have two jaw shafts or legs that each include an arcuatesection and an opposing jaw attached to each of the jaw shafts or legs.

The two or more opposing jaws may function to create a gripping force.The two or more opposing jaws may move towards each other to create agripping force, to grip a feature of interest, or both. The two or moreopposing jaws may be any devices that may be used to grip items ofinterest in surgery, for example laparoscopic surgery. The two or moreopposing jaws may function to be used to grip or clamp an item ofinterest for cutting. The two or more opposing jaws may be any shape andsize so that the jaws perform a gripping function, create a grippingforce, or both. Preferably, the two or more opposing jaws may be one jawstructure with another mirror image opposing jaw structure (i.e.,identical) that when forced together may create a gripping function. Thetwo opposing jaws may be any two or more structures that may be movablerelative to each other for perform a gripping function. The two opposingjaws may be any structures that may allow one jaw to be static and onejaw to be movable or any combination thereof. The two opposing jaws mayinclude a gap (e.g., a blade track) to allow for a cutting instrument tobe inserted while retaining functionality of the two or more opposingjaws.

The gap may be any shape and size so that a blade, functional element, asurgical instrument, or a combination thereof may be extended into thegap in the jaws, into the gap between the jaws, or both. The blade, asurgical instrument, functional element, or a combination thereof may beextended into the gap formed in (or between) the two opposing jaws whilethe two opposing jaws are closed, open, or in a position therebetween.The gap may be formed in the opposing jaws, the jaws may be made of awire material that may be formed to include the gap, material may beremoved to form the gap, or a combination thereof. The gap (e.g., bladetrack) may extend along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member,blade, or both so that the blade axially extends into the gap duringuse. The material the jaws are made of may be formed to include a gap.

The two opposing jaws may be made of any material so that the twoopposing jaws may be used to create a gripping force. The two opposingjaws may be made of a flexible material, resilient material, rigidstainless steel, a plastically deformable material, an elasticallydeformable material, or a combination thereof. The two opposing jaws maybe made of a material that conducts electricity. The jaws may include aprotective cover.

The protective cover may function to prevent current leakage, preventapplication of power to an undesired location, insulate the wires,create a contact location at a predetermined location, or a combinationthereof. The protective cover may protect an outside of the jaws. Theprotective cover may prevent stray current. The protective cover mayassist in directing current to a desired location. The protective covermay be made of an insulating material. The protective cover may be madeand/or include rubber, plastic, a polymer, plastic, an insulativematerial, or a combination thereof. The protective cover may cover onlya portion of the jaws so that the jaws may apply power.

The two opposing jaws may be used to apply electricity to a feature ofinterest that may be gripped by the two opposing jaws. The grippingportion of the two opposing jaws may have a surface texture to grip afeature of interest. For instance the surface texture may be smooth,flat, contoured, serrated, textured, include ridges, mouse teeth, or acombination thereof. Preferably, the gripping portion of the twoopposing jaws may have a serrated edge to allow for more securegripping. The two opposing jaws may have an edge with a surface that mayfunction similar to a serrated edge to allow for secure gripping. Thetwo opposing jaws may be biased from an open position to a dosedposition by retraction of one of the one or more jaw shafts, movement ofthe one or more tubular members towards the distal end, or both along anaxis of the one or more tubular members. The two opposing jaws mayinclude a jaw bias mechanism, be part of a jaw bias mechanism, or both.The two opposing jaws may have laterally extending arcuate sections atthe proximal end (e.g., heel of the jaw) of the jaws that protrude outfrom the distal end of the tubular member.

The arcuate sections may function to create a ramped surface that movesthe jaws towards each other. The arcuate sections may form a raisedsurface that is sufficiently large such that the arcuate sections do notfit within the stylet, tubular member, or both. The arcuate sections maybe formed into the jaw shaft or legs of the jaw shafts. The arcuatesections may be a portion added to the jaw shaft, the legs, or both. Thearcuate sections when the jaws are closed may have a largest dimensionthat is larger than an inner largest opening of the stylet, tubularmember, or both. Preferably, at least a portion of the laterallyextending arcuate sections are wider than the mouth of the tubularmember so that axial movement of the tubular member, the jaw shafts, orboth biases the two opposing jaws closing the two opposing jaws,creating a gripping force, or both. For example, when an operable memberis actuated the one or more tubular members may be moved towards (i.e.,away from the hand piece) the two opposing jaws and may bias the twoopposing jaws towards each other. The one or more jaws may be free ofone or more arcuate segments. A proximal end of the two opposing jaws ofthe gripping assembly may each be attached to one or more legs, one ormore jaw shafts, or both.

The one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both may function toassist a user in aligning a feature of interest between two or moreopposing jaws, assist in creating a gripping force between the twoopposing jaws, provide support to one or more jaws, extend through oneor more tubular members and/or tubular members, or any combinationthereof. The one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both mayextend through a central portion of the tubular member and the one ormore legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both are movable relative (i.e.,parallel, axially, or both) to the tubular members. The one or morelegs, one or more jaw shafts, or both may be generally any shape thatwill perform the recited functions. The one or more legs, one or morejaw shafts, or both may be any light weight material that is strongenough to support the two opposing jaws and to support the grippingaction of the jaws. The one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, orboth may be a solid cylindrical rod shape, a hollow cylindrical rodshape, a half circle shape, or a combination thereof. The one or morelegs, one or more jaw shafts, or both may include one or more flatportions, may include non-arcuate portions, may be asymmetrical, or acombination thereof. The one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, orboth may be flexible, rigid, conductive, elastically deformable, or acombination thereof. Preferably, the one or more jaw shafts may be ahollow tube. More preferably, the one or more legs, one or more jawshafts, or both may form the jaw and fold back upon itself to form anopposing leg of the jaw. For example, the leg may extend out of thetubular member and curve back into the tubular member so that theportion extending out of the tubular member forms the jaws. The one ormore legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both may extend through and outthe tubular member at the distal end of the tubular member at theproximal end of the tubular member, or a combination thereof. The one ormore legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both may extend out of the distalend of the tubular member and may have a functional attachment connectedto the distal end of the one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, orboth. The functional attachment may be connected to one or both of twoopposing jaws or an attachment with the functional equivalent ofperforming a gripping function. The one or more jaw shafts and/or one ormore legs may be adjacent to, extend along opposing sides, surround, ora combination thereof the cutting assembly inside the tubular member.The one or more jaw shafts may terminate in a distal end region of thetubular member, an inner tube, or both.

The one or more jaw shafts may include a pivot joint. The pivot jointmay be a joint that connects the jaws to a pin, in inner tube, a tubularmember, a camming shaft, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the pivotjoint connects the jaw shaft to a pin in the inner tube. The pivot jointmay function to connect the jaw shafts so that the jaw shafts arerotatable about an axis that extends through the pivot joint. The pivotjoint may extend in a central region of the tubular member (e.g., down acenter), along one or more side walls (e.g., along edges), or both. Thepivot joint may be a through hole that receives one or more pins,rivets, connection points, bolts, screws, or a combination thereof. Thepivot joint may be a pin, rivet, connection point, bolt, screw or acombination thereof that extends from the jaw into contact with thetubular member, the inner tube, the camming shaft, or a combinationthereof. The pivot joint may function to create one or more points ofcontact that the jaws rotate about. The pivot joint may include one ormore biasing devices that may move the jaws apart, move the jaws to anopen position, move the jaws to a neutral position (which may be an openposition), or a combination thereof. The pivot joint may be located sothat one or more functional elements, one or more blades, one or morecutting assemblies, or a combination thereof extend out of the tubularmember, inner tube, camming shaft, or a combination thereof. The jawsmay be biased by one or more jaw bias mechanisms.

The jaw bias mechanisms may function to move the jaws from an openposition to a closed position. The jaw bias mechanisms may function tocreate a closing force, a gripping force, or both. The jaw biasmechanism may function to actuate the jaws dosed without the need forany other devices or features. The jaw bias mechanism may function tobias the jaws closed, bias the jaws open, or both. The jaw biasmechanism may only close the jaws. The jaw bias mechanism may be acombination of one or more hollow tubes (e.g., a tubular member or anouter tube), one or more arcuate sections, or preferably a combinationof both. The jaw bias mechanism may cause the jaws to rotate about anaxis. A jaw bias mechanism may be in communication with each jawindividually. The jaw bias mechanism may be a jaw closure mechanism. Thejaw closure mechanism may work in conjunction with a cutting assembly.

The cutting assembly may be any assembly of parts capable of cutting.The cutting assembly may function to cut tissue, veins, arteries, ananatomical feature, a feature of interest, or a combination thereofduring a surgical procedure. The cutting assembly may be any cuttingassembly that may be used in surgery, for example laparoscopic surgery.The cutting assembly may be an assembly of parts that may fit inside thetubular member and/or tubular member, extend through the stylet and/ortubular member, extend between the pair of opposing jaws, extend betweenlegs, extend between legs and jaws, extend between jaw shafts, extendbetween jaws, or a combination thereof. The cutting assembly may be anyassembly of parts capable of rotating independent of the tubular memberor in combination with the tubular member. The cutting assembly may beactuated to perform a cutting function by an actuation mechanism. Thecutting assembly may be any cutting assembly that may generally becomprised of a blade, a blade shaft, or a combination thereof.

The blade may function to cut a feature of interest. The blade may beany cutting tool that may be used in surgery, for example laparoscopicsurgery. The blade may be any cutting device that may be extended andretracted through the tubular member. The blade may be made of anymaterial that may be sharpened; is strong enough to cut a feature ofinterest; is biocompatible; that may conduct electricity; or acombination thereof. The blade may be any shape so that the blade mayfit inside the tubular member and extend into the gap formed between thetwo opposing jaws, between two legs connected to a jaw, or both so thata feature of interest may be cut. The blade may be substantially solidalong its length. The blade may have a length so that the blade issufficiently long to cut a feature of interest. The maximum length ofthe blade may be equal to the length of the jaws. The length of theblade may be substantially equal to that of the protrusions of thecamming shaft. The length of the blade may be less than that of theprotrusions. The blade may include one or more recesses. The blade mayinclude a pin recess so that a spacing member, a pin, or both may extendthrough the blade and the blade may still axially move. The pin recessmay function to allow the blade to axially move. The pin recess may be athrough hole in the blade. The pin recess may have a shape that issubstantially identical to that of the spacing member, a pin, or both.The pin recess may be round, oval, a slot, a slit, or a combinationthereof. The pin recess may function to allow the blade to fully extendwhen the jaws are open, the jaws are dosed, or a position therebetween.The pin recess may have a length that is substantially equal to theaxial movement of the tubular member, the jaws, or both. The blade maybe sufficiently small so that the blade may be housed in the tubularmember during movement, insertion, or both. The blade may be extendedinto, and retracted from, the gap in the two opposing jaws. The distalend of the blade may have a shaped edge. The proximal end of the blademay be attached to a blade shaft.

The blade shaft may function to support the blade and assist in movingthe blade axially. The blade shaft may extend the blade axially alongthe axis of the tubular member, the tubular member, or both and out ofthe tubular member, tubular member, or both (e.g., into the gap formedby the two opposing jaws). The blade shaft may function to extend and/orretract the blade via an operable mechanism. The blade shaft may be usedto actuate a blade during surgery. The blade shaft may be of shape andsize to actuate a blade inside a tubular member. For example the bladeshaft may be a wire, shaped metal, a rod, a plurality of combinedlongitudinal pieces, or any similar rigid structure that may fit in andextend through the tubular member. The blade shaft may be made of amaterial that is lightweight, but strong enough to extend a bladethrough a feature of interest thereby cutting the feature of interest.The blade shaft has a distal end and a proximal end. A blade may beattached to a distal end, a distal end region, or both of the bladeshaft. The blade shaft may have a structure at the proximal end of theblade shaft, at the proximal end region of the blade shaft, or both toassist in rotation of the blade inside of the stylet, tubular member, orboth.

The stylet as discussed herein may include a tubular member or may bethe tubular member. The stylet may include a tubular member and an innertube. The stylet may include a tubular member that extends around all ora portion of an inner tube. The tubular member may function to extendinto a patient during a surgical procedure so that a user (i.e.,surgeon) can perform one or more surgical procedures. The tubular membermay be flexible so that the tubular member may be moved within apatient. Preferably, the tubular member may be substantially rigid sothat the tubular member may be moved to a desired location. The tubularmember includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end may bean end of the tubular member that is located farthest from the handpiece (e.g., the end of the tubular member that is inserted into apatient). The proximal end of the tubular member may be the end of thetubular member located proximate to the user, in the hand piece, orboth. For example, the proximal end may extend into the hand piece sothat manipulation of the one or more operable mechanisms manipulates thetubular member. The tubular member and its components may be made of anybiocompatible material, for example, stainless steel, plastic, asynthetic material, a natural material, or a combination thereof. Thetubular member may comprise a tubular member sub-assembly. The tubularmember sub-assembly may include one or more hollow tubes, one or moreinner tubes, one or more outer tubes, one or more gripping assemblies,one or more cutting assemblies, one or more rotation mechanisms, one ormore operable mechanisms, one or more camming shafts, one or moreguides, one or more spacing members, or a combination thereof.

The one or more outer tubes may function to close the jaws, bias thejaws, or both. The one or more tubes may function to bias the actuationmechanisms that bias the jaws. The one or more tubes may function toprotect the inner tube. The one or more jaws may move relative to theinner tube. The one or more jaws may axially move towards the distal endand the proximal end during movement. The one or more jaws may overrunthe inner tube, the jaws, the arcuate sections, or a combination thereofto bias the jaws towards each other.

The one or more inner tubes may function to create a point of contactfor one or more jaws. The one or more inner tubes may function toconnect to a camming shaft. The one or more inner tubes may function toextend through all or a portion of the tubular member. The one or moreinner tubes may form a connection point, include a connection feature(e.g., a pin, bolt, screw, rivet, or a combination thereof) for one ormore jaws. The one or more inner tubes may connect to a pivot joint ofone or more jaws so that the one or more jaws rotate about an axis. Theone or more inner tubes may assist in opening and closing the jaws. Theone or more inner tubes may be located distal of one or more hollowtubes. The one or more inner tubes may be part of a tubular member. Theone or more inner tubes may be movable relative to an outer tube. Theone or more inner tubes may be axially movable, rotationally movable, orboth relative to an outer tube, a camming shaft, or both. The one ormore inner tubes may be static and an outer tube may be movable relativeto the inner tube. The one or more inner tubes may be substantially thesame length as an outer tube. The one or more inner tubes may be shorterthan an outer tube. The one or more inner tubes may be in communicationwith a camming shaft. The one or more inner tubes may receive all or aportion of a hollow tube. The one or more inner tubes may be locatedbetween a tubular member and a hollow tube.

The one or more tubular members may include and/or be one or more hollowtubes and the one or more hollow tubes (e.g., an inner tube, an outertube, or both) may function to house one or more working components(e.g., a gripping assembly, a cutting assembly, or both). The one ormore tubular members may function to house all or a portion of one ormore functional members (e.g., inner tube, blade, jaws). The one or moretubular members may be any device that may be used to extend a forcepsdevice and any assemblies into a patient. The one or more tubularmembers may assist in actuating a gripping assembly. The one or moretubular members may be a cannula. The one or more tubular members may beflexible. The one or more tubular members may include a curve, a bend,or a combination thereof. Preferably the one or more tubular members maybe rigid. More preferably, the one or more tubular members are generallylinear and are substantially rigid. The one or more tubular members maybe any hollow tube shaped structure that may rotate around alongitudinal axis, its own longitudinal axis, or both. The one or moretubular members may include a distal end and a proximal end. The one ormore tubular members may include an inner circumscribed diameter and anouter circumscribed diameter. The one or more tubular members mayinclude a main body with a consistent inner and outer circumscribeddiameter and a tapered portion with a larger outer circumscribeddiameter than the main body. The one or more tubular members, thecamming shaft, or both may include one or more segments that are square,rounded, oval, irregular, or any shape that allows for the circumscribeddiameter of the one or more tubular members to increase and that mayallow for rotation around a longitudinal axis, or a combination thereof.The one or more tubular members may include an inner cross-sectionaldimension that assists in the functioning of the one or more assemblies.

The inner cross-sectional dimension may be about 1 mm or more,preferably 3 mm or more, more preferably 5 mm or more. The innercircumscribed diameter may be about 20 mm or less, preferably about 15mm or less, or more preferably about 10 mm or less. The innercircumscribed diameter may from about 1 mm to about 20 mm, preferablyfrom about 3 mm to about 15 mm, or more preferably from about 5 mm toabout 10 mm. The inner cross-sectional dimension may vary from locationto location within the one or more tubular members and/or camming shaft.The tubular member and/or camming shaft may have a largestcross-sectional dimension and a smallest cross-sectional dimension. Thelargest inner cross-sectional dimension may be a factor of 2 or more, 3or more, 4 or more, or even 5 or more times that of the smallest innercross-sectional dimension. The inner cross-sectional dimension may besubstantially the same size as one or more jaw shafts, one or more legsof a jaw, two jaw shafts, two or more legs of a jaw, a blade, or acombination thereof. The inner cross-sectional dimensions may vary toaccommodate one or more jaw shafts, leg of a jaw, one or more blades,one or more blade shafts, or a combination thereof. A gripping assembly,a blade assembly, or both may extend through the inner cross-sectionaldimension of the one or more tubular members, the camming shaft, thecamming shaft, or a combination thereof. The tubular member may besubstantially circular, substantially oval, or both along all or aportion of its length. The tubular member may be substantially circularfrom a proximal end to a region approaching the distal end region. Thetubular member may include one or more contour features toward thedistal end region.

The one or more contoured features may laterally contain movement of thejaws so that the jaws are forced together, towards a center plane (e.g.,a plane that extends substantially down the center of the camming shaftand/or tubular member, a plane that extends between two opposing jaws,or both), or both. The geometry of the one or more contoured featuresmay affect how the jaws are moved. The distal end region may include oneor more contour features that vary the size, shape, geometry,orientation, or a combination thereof of the distal end region. Forexample the one or more contour features may create a flat surface onthe outside of the tubular member; may include one or more flat walls onthe inside or outside of the tubular member; may include arcuatesegments that are non-continuous so that a non-circular, non-linearsurface is formed; or a combination thereof. Preferably, the distal end,distal end region, or both of the camming shaft, the tubular member, orboth are non-circular, have non-circular portions, or both. The one ormore contour features may be one or more flat portions, one or morescalloped portions, one or more blade recesses, one or more pocketsurfaces, one or more protrusions, one or more molded flares, one ormore side walls, or a combination thereof, and each of the contourfeatures discussed herein may be applied to the tubular members, thehollow tubes, the camming shaft, or a combination thereof. For example,the camming shaft and/or tubular member may be square in shape.

The tubular member, camming shaft, or both may include one or more flatsurfaces and/or flattened surfaces located on the inside and/or outsideof the tubular member and/or camming shaft. The tubular member, cammingshaft, or both may only include one or more flat surfaces on the inside.The flat surfaces may be located anywhere along the length of thetubular member and/or camming shaft. Preferably, the flat surfaces arelocated in a distal end region. However, the flat surfaces may belocated outside of the distal end region. For example, the distal endregion may be generally circular and a region on a proximal side of thedistal end region may include one or more flat surfaces. The flatsurfaces may be located on one or more adjacent walls. Preferably, theflat surfaces are located on opposing sides. The flat surfaces may belocated within the tubular member and/or camming shaft so that a jawhaving two or more legs and/or shafts has one leg and/or shaft incontact with one flat surface and another leg and/or shaft in contactwith a different flat surface. However, both legs and/or shafts may bothbe in contact with a single flat surface. The tubular member, cammingshaft, or both may include one or more, two or more, three or more, fouror more, six or more, eight or more, or even ten or more flat surfaces.The flat surfaces may extend around an inside of the tubular memberand/or camming shaft so that the tubular member and/or camming shaft hasa triangular shape, square shape, rectangular shape, pentagonal shape,hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, or a combination thereof.The flat surfaces may be spaced apart. For example, two adjacent flatsurfaces may be separated by a blade recess. The flat surfaces may beconnected together by arcuate surfaces, other flat surfaces, concaveportions, convex portions, or a combination thereof. The one or moretubular members and/or camming shafts may be free of, without, exclude,or a combination thereof flat surfaces. Preferably, the tubular membersand/or camming shaft include flat surfaces and arcuate surfaces to formone or more scalloped portions.

The one or more scalloped portions may function to control movement ofthe one or more legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both. The one or morescalloped portions may constrain the one or more legs, the one or morejaw shafts, or a combination of both. The one or more scalloped portionsmay move two opposing legs, one or more jaw shafts, or both towards eachother when the jaws are being actuated, thereby resisting lateral oroutward movement of the two opposing legs, one or more jaw shafts, orboth with respect to the scalloped portions. The scalloped portions mayextend towards a center of the tubular member from an outer edge and/orcircumference of the tubular member. The scalloped portions may extendaround a portion of the one or more blades. The scalloped portions maybecome more constraining as the scalloped portion extends towards thedistal end. The scalloped portions may be substantially the samedimensions along the length of the scalloped portion. The scallopedportions may be generally concave and extend inward from an outer edgeof the tubular member and/or camming shaft. The scalloped portions mayreduce the distance from one side of the tubular member and/or cammingshaft to the other side relative to an area that does not include thescalloped portion. The scalloped portions may guide the blade through agap in the jaws, a gap between the jaws, or both. The one or morescalloped portions may form a pockets and/or pocket surface.

The one or more pocket surfaces may function to guide one or more legs,one or more jaw shafts, or both. The one or more pocket surfaces mayfunction to assist in closing the one or more jaws, creating a grippingforce, or both. The one or more pocket surfaces may align one jawrelative to another jaw. Each leg and/or jaw shaft may be at leastpartially surrounded by its own pocket surface (e.g., at least about 90degrees or more, about 120 degrees or more, or even about 180 degrees ormore of each leg and/or jaw shaft is in contact with a pocket surface).The pocket surface may substantially mirror the shape of each leg and/orjaw shaft. The pocket surface may only extend around one side of eachleg and/or jaw shaft and the opposing side may be free of a pocketsurface so that each leg and/or jaw shaft is free to move towards and/orinto contact with an opposing leg and/or jaw shaft. The pocket surfacesmay be connected by flat portions (e.g., linear portions). For example,the hollow tube, tubular member, camming shaft, or a combination thereofmay include one or more pocket surfaces that have an innercross-sectional dimension that is substantially the same length as thatof the jaw shafts and/or legs of the jaws (i.e., the distance from oneside of a pocket surface to the other side of the pocket surface may besubstantially the same as the combined largest dimension of the legs ofthe jaws, jaw shafts, or both). The one or more pocket surfaces mayinclude a blade recess that separates one or more pocket surfaces fromanother of the one or more pocket surfaces.

The one or more blade recesses may function to guide the blade throughthe tubular member, the camming shaft or both. The one or more bladerecesses may prevent the blade from contacting the jaws, the legs, thejaw shafts, or a combination thereof. The one or more blade recesses maysubstantially mirror the shape of the blade. The one or more bladerecesses may include one or more flat portions, one or more arcuateportions, or both. The one or more blade recesses may extend along acenter plane. The one or more blade recesses may include a space so thata portion of each of the legs, each of the jaw shafts, or both extend atleast partially into the blade recess. The one or more blade recessesmay be a gap in a flat portion, a flat wall, or both. The one or moreblade recesses may be at any location along the tubular member, thecamming shaft, or both. Preferably, the blade recess is located withinthe distal end region of the tubular member, the camming shaft, or both.The one or more blade recesses, one or more contour features, or bothmay be used in conjunction with and/or be placed relative to one or moreguides.

The one or more guides may be any device that supports one or more legs,one or more shafts, one or more wires, one or more functional elements,or a combination thereof as they extend from a proximal end to a distalend. The one or more guides may support a control portion of one or morefunctional elements (i.e., a portion that is actuated or actuates tocreate a predetermined result). For example, a leg of a jaw may extendthrough the guide and the guide may provide support and/or isolation sothat the leg of one jaw is not intertwined and/or damaged by a leg ofanother jaw. The one or more guides may prevent bending, kinking,coiling, intertwining, damage, or a combination thereof as elementsextend through the tubular member. The one or more guides may includeone or more through holes for guiding one or more members. The one ormore through holes may be a one or more blade shaft guides, one or morejaw shaft guides, one or more functional element shaft guides, or acombination thereof. The one or more guides may be used in conjunctionwith the one or more contour features in the distal end region of thetubular member, the camming shaft, or both. The one or more guides mayallow for substantially all of an axial force to be translated axiallythrough the tubular member. The one or more guides may restrict thecross-sectional area of the tubular member along the longitudinal axisof the tubular member. The one or more guides may extend along thelength of the tubular member. The one or more guides may extend alongthe length of the tubular member and stop before reaching the distal endregion. The one or more guides may have a length that is about 85percent or less, about 75 percent or less, about 60 percent or less thanthe tubular member. The tubular member may work with one or morefeatures of the tubular member, the camming shaft, or both. The tubularmember may include, be connected to, be used in conjunction with, belocated adjacent to, or a combination thereof one or more cammingshafts.

The one or more camming shafts may function to change the shape,configuration, geometry, orientation, or a combination thereof of theone or more tubular members. The one or more camming shafts may be adevice that is put in, connected to, fit with, or a combination thereofa distal end region. The one or more camming shafts may constrain thecross-sectional area of the tubular member. The one or more cammingshafts may restrict the jaws, the legs of the jaws, the jaw shafts, thearcuate sections, or a combination thereof. The one or more cammingshafts may assist in forming a gripping force, a desiccation force, or acombination thereof. The one or more camming shafts may include any ofthe contour features discussed herein for the tubular member and viceversa. The one or more camming shafts may be connected to the tubularmember by friction fit, adhesive, welding (e.g., laser or spot),crimping, a detent, a fastener, an interference fit, threads, or acombination thereof. The one or more camming shafts may include one ormore connection features (i.e., a portion that is raised above theremainder of the camming shaft). The one or more camming shafts mayinclude a complex geometry and may vary the geometry of a standardtubular member. For example, a standard tubular member may be createdfor all applications and a scalloped portion may be added to one tubularmember and a pocket surface may be added to a different tubular memberby selecting and installing a camming shaft with those features. The oneor more camming shafts may be installed within the distal end region ofthe tubular member so that the distal end region has a changed geometry.However, the one or more camming shafts may extend to a proximal side ofthe distal end region. The one or more camming shafts may be made of anybiocompatible material. The one or more camming shafts may be made ofplastic, a polymer, metal, steel, surgical steel, stainless steel, or acombination thereof. The one or more camming shafts may be made of amaterial that may be formed by molding (e.g., insert molding, blowmolding, injection molding, or a combination thereof). The camming shaftmay be molded directly to the tubular member. The camming shaft may beconnected to the tubular member so that substantially all of the cammingshaft is located within the tubular member. The camming shaft may formthe distal end region of the tubular member. The camming shaft may havea portion that is connected to and extends from the tubular member. Thecamming shaft may include one or more protrusions that extend proximalinto the tubular member.

The one or more protrusions may function to connect the camming shaft toa distal end of a tubular member so that the camming shaft forms thedistal end region of the tubular member. The one or more protrusions mayfunction to guide one or more elements (e.g., a jaw shaft, a leg, ablade shaft, a functional element shaft, or a combination thereof)through the tubular member, into the camming shaft, or both. The one ormore protrusions may function to provide axial stiffness to the tubularmember. The one or more protrusions may assist in connecting the one ormore camming shafts to the tubular member. The one or more cammingshafts may be free of protrusions, exclude protrusions, be withoutprotrusions, or a combination thereof. The one or more protrusions maybe connected to an end region of the camming shaft, a molded flare, orboth.

The one or more molded flares may function to extend into a tip of atubular member, connect the camming shaft to the tubular member, reducethe cross-sectional area of a distal end region of the tubular member,or a combination thereof. The one or more molded flares may form a stepin the camming shaft. The one or more molded flares may adapt thecamming shaft to fit within one or more tubular members. The one or moremolded flares may form a series of steps that allow the camming shaft tobe inserted into and/or connected to tubular members having a differentdiameter and/or cross-sectional area. The one or more molded flares mayconnect the camming shaft to the tubular member so that the outsidecross-sectional length of the tubular member and the camming shaft aresubstantially equal, so that a lip is not formed between the cammingshaft and the tubular member, or both. The outer walls of the cammingshaft may be generally circular, a geometric shape, symmetrical,asymmetrical, or a combination thereof. The one or more camming shaftsmay be free of one or more molded flares, exclude a molded flare, orboth. The outer walls of the camming shaft may have any of the featuresdiscussed herein for the shape of the tubular member. The outer wallsand the inner walls of the camming shaft may have a differentconfiguration.

The camming shaft may include one or more of the contour features as arediscussed herein. The one or more contour features may be one or moreside walls. The one or more side walls of the camming shaft may performany of the functions and/or include any of the structure discussedherein for the flat portion of the tubular member. The one or more sidewalls may be contoured, angled, flat, parallel, adjacent, in contactwith one or more legs and/or jaw shafts, or a combination thereof. Theone or more side walls may include one or more coatings. The one or morecoatings may provide electrical insulation between the stylet, tubularmember, or both and the legs, jaw shaft, or both. The one or more sidewalls may be formed of a different material than the camming shaft. Theone or more side walls may be connected to, molded on, attached to,adhered to, fastened to, or a combination thereof to the camming shaft.The one or more side walls may be padded. Preferably, the lateral sidewalls only are padded. The one or more side walls may be made of and/orinclude a polymer, plastic, elastomer, or a combination thereof. Thepadding on the one or more side walls may be low friction, highfriction, hard, soft, a dampening material, or a combination thereof.The one or more side walls may extend along an inside of the cammingshaft, onto an ear of the camming shaft, on a flare, on the protrusions,or a combination thereof.

The one or more ears may function to extend the camming shaft in adistal direction. The one or more ears may function to create a bluntsurface, a surface with a smaller area, or both. The one or more earsmay provide axial stiffness, radial stiffness, longitudinal stiffness,or a combination thereof to the camming shaft, the tubular member, orboth. The shape of the ears may be varied depending on structuralstrength requirements of the camming shaft. The shape of the ears mayinclude more structure and/or material than other shapes of the ears.The one or more ears may be shaped so that any contact between the earsand tissue does not damage tissue. The one or more ears may be anintegral part of the camming shaft. The ears may lengthen the distal endregion. The ears may extend out of and/or from a distal end of thecamming shaft, the tubular member, or both. The ears may be located onthe lateral sides of the camming shaft. The ears may be located so thatthe jaws open and close without interference from the ears. The one ormore ears may be square, circular, oval, include a blunt distal end,include an arcuate distal end, or a combination thereof. The one or moreears may be made of a material that provides axial stiffness to thetubular member, the camming shaft, or both. The one or more ears mayinclude a material on the inside of the camming shaft so that the earssupport one or more spacing members. The one or more camming shafts maybe free of ears, exclude ears, or both. The one or more ears may includeone or more spacing members, be located proximate to one or more spacingmembers, or a combination thereof.

The one or more spacing members function to separate the jaws. The oneor more spacing members may function to separate the jaws when the jawsand/or tubular member is retracted to a starting position, when the jawsand/or tubular member is over retracted (i.e., a position past thestarting position). For example, a starting position is considered azero position and over retracted is considered a negative position(e.g., −1 or more, −2 or more, −5 or more). The one or more spacingmembers may be located at a distal end of the stylet, tubular member,inner tube, or a combination thereof. The one or more spacing membersmay be located distal to a connection feature for a pivot joint (e.g., apin). The one or more spacing members may work in conjunction with aconnection feature for connecting a pivot joint to the stylet, innertube, tubular member, or a combination thereof. The one or moreconnection features may form a connection with the stylet and the one ormore spacing members may rotate the jaws outward (e.g., open) about theconnection features. The one or more spacing members may separate thejaws at a neutral position, a starting position, or both. The one ormore spacing members may separate the jaws so that the jaws may be usedfor dissection, separating tissue, or both. The one or more spacingmembers may assist in moving tissue, spreading tissue apart, or both.The jaws when pressed against the spacing members may create a force ofabout 1 N or more, about 2 N or more, about 3 N or more, or even about 5N or more. Stated another way, the jaws may resist closing when a forceof about 1 N or more, 2 N or more, 3 N or more, or even about 5 N ormore. When the one or more spacing members are in contact with the twoor more jaws the spacing members prevent the jaws from closing byexternal forces. The one or more spacing members may be a single spacingmember that extends across the opening of the tubular member, thecamming shaft, or both. The one or more spacing members may be a biasingmember that creates a positive force against one or both of the jaws sothat the jaws are forced apart. The one or more biasing members mayfunction to create a force so that a default position of the jaws isopen. The one or more biasing members may be located in contact with thejaws, the jaw shafts, the arcuate sections, a heel, or a combinationthereof. The one or more biasing members may be a spring, an elasticmaterial, an expandable material, an elastically deformable material, abent piece of metal, a helically wrapped material, or a combinationthereof. The one or more spacing members may be two spacing members andthe two spacing members may extend from opposing sides towards a center,a central plane, or both of the tubular member, camming shaft, or both.The one or more spacing members may alter the pressure exerted by thejaws. The one or more spacing members may alter the pressure exertedfrom a front of the spacing member to a heel of the spacing member orvice versa depending upon the location of the spacing members, the shapeof the spacing members, or both. The one or more spacing members mayprovide for an even distribution of force along the surface of the jawsrelative to jaws that do not include the spacing members. The one ormore spacing members may be shaped so that the spacing members are freeof contact, free of interference, or both with the jaws when the jawsare closed, a gripping force is created, or both. The one or morespacing members may be connected to the tubular member, the cammingshaft, or both. The one or more spacing members may be connected by anadhesive, threads, welding (e.g., spot or laser), a fastener, or acombination thereof. The one or more spacing members are at a locationso that when the jaws are closed the spacing member aligns with thearcuate sections. The one or more spacing members may have a uniformshape, a tapered shape, one shape on a distal side and a different shapeon a proximal side, or a combination thereof. Any of the spacing membersdiscussed herein may include one or more tapered portions. The taperedportions may allow for axial movement of the jaws without interferencewith the jaws, shafts, jaw shafts, legs, or a combination thereof.

The tapered portions may extend at a low angle to a point. The taperedportions may be one or more tapered portions. The one or more taperedportions may be one or more fillets. The one or more fillets may be aplurality of fillets that are interconnected to form the taperedportion. The tapered portions may extend at a steep angle and have ablunt end. The tapered portions may be located on the distal side, theproximal side, or both of the spacing members. The tapered portions mayextend at an angle of about 5 degrees or more, about 10 degrees or more,about 15 degrees or more, or even about 25 degrees or more. The taperedportion may extend at an angle of about 90 degrees or less, about 75degrees or less, or about 60 degrees or less. The shape of the spacingmember may change across the cross-sectional length of the spacingmembers. The spacing member may continuously extend across thecross-sectional length of the tubular member, the camming shaft, orboth. The spacing member may be two or more discrete pieces and may beconnected in two or more locations to the tubular member, the cammingshaft, or both. The spacing members may have any shape that assists inseparating the jaws, using the jaws for dissection, or both. The spacingmembers may be a pin, a crimp, a bar, include a bulbous portion, amushroom pin, a tapered portion, or a combination thereof.

The one or more pins may substantially span the cross-sectional lengthof the camming shaft, the tubular member, an inner tube, or acombination thereof. The one or more pins, as discussed herein, may beused both as a connection feature and a spacing member. The one or morepins may be two pins that are separated by a gap. The one or more pinsmay extend through a pin recess in the blade. The one or more pins maybe round, extend from an ear, form a distal most point of the tubularmember, or a combination thereof. The one or more pins may form a commonaxis. The one or more pins may form a common axis for the two or morejaws. The two or more jaws may rotate about the pin. The one or morepins may be uniform in shape. When more than one pin is used the pinsmay be identical. The one or more pins may be a mushroom pin. The one ormore pins may include a mushroom portion. The mushroom portion mayfunction to prevent the legs, jaws, jaw shaft, or a combination thereoffrom extending towards a center, a central portion, or both of thetubular member. The mushroom shape may prevent the legs, jaw shafts, orboth from contacting each other, the blade, or both. The mushroom shapemay provide a space for the blade to extend through the tubular memberwithout pressure being exerted by the legs, jaw shafts, or both. Themushroom portion may be a part of the pin that is expanded relative tothe rest of the pin. The mushroom portion may be a portion that 1.2times or more, 1.3 times or more, or even 1.5 times or more the size ofthe non-mushroom portion of the pin. The mushroom portion of themushroom pin may be located substantially in the center of the cammingshaft, the tubular member, or both. The mushroom pin may besubstantially the same as a head on a screw, nut, bolt, the like, or acombination thereof. The mushroom pin may be integrally molded. Themushroom pin may be a discrete piece added to the camming shaft, thetubular member, or both. The one or more tubular members, the one ormore camming shafts, or both may be free of a pin. The one or moretubular members, the one or more camming shafts, or both may include anintegrally formed portion such as a crimp.

The one or more crimps may function to perform the functions of aspacing member. The one or more crimps may be a unitary part of thetubular member, the camming shaft, or both. The one or more crimps maybe formed. The one or more crimps may be material folded upon itself.The one or more crimps may be a part that extends in a distal directionfrom the camming shaft and is formed to extend inward (i.e., in alateral direction) and is folded together. The one or more crimps may befolded so that the crimps are solid, include a recess, is hollow, or acombination hereof. Preferably, the one or more crimps are cut andfolded to extend from and across the tubular member and form a frontalbar. The one or more crimps may be varied in size depending on thecross-sectional thickness of the tubular member, camming shaft, or both.For example, a standard camming shaft with crimping material may becreated and the shape and size of the crimp may be varied depending uponthe tubular member, the legs, the jaw shaft, or both being used. Thecrimp may be one solid piece that extends across opening of the tubularmember, the camming shaft, or both. The one or more crimps may extendfrom an outside edge of the tubular member, the camming shaft, or both.The one or more crimps may extend from within the tubular member, thecamming shaft, or both. The crimp may be two discrete pieces that extendfrom opposing sides. The spacing member may be a longitudinallyextending bar.

The one or more bars may perform the function of any of the spacingmembers discussed herein. The one or more bars may extend from an insideof the tubular member, the camming shaft, or both. The one or more barsmay extend substantially the length of the camming shaft. The one ormore bars may extend from a central portion of the camming shaft axiallyout an opening in camming shaft. The one or more bars may besubstantially planar along their length. A portion of the one or morebars may be substantially planar and a portion of the one or more barsmay be bulbous. A portion of the one or more bars located within thecamming shaft, the tubular member, or both may be planar and a portionlocated outside of the camming shaft may form a bulbous portion. The barmay gradually increase in size as the bar extends in the distaldirection. The bar may terminate at a bulbous portion. The bulbousportion may be substantially the largest portion of the one or morebars. The bulbous portion may gradually become thicker than a mainportion of the bar. The bulbous portion may be a step change from themain portion of the bar. The bulbous portion may have an upper portionand lower portion and the upper portion and the lower portion may bemirror images of each other. The bulbous portion may substantiallymirror the shape of the arcuate sections of the jaws. The upper portionand the lower portion may be equal in size so that a jaw extending overthe top of the upper portion and a jaw extending under the bottom of thelower portion moves the jaws an equal distance outward. The one or morebars may be integrally connected to the camming shaft, the tubularmember, or both. The one or more bars may be integrally formed withformation of the camming shaft, the tubular member, or both. Across-section of the bulbous portion of the bar may have a tear dropshape. A cross-section of the bulbous portion of the bar may have oneportion that is a factor of 2 or more, 3 or more, or even 4 or morelarger than the rest of the bar.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an example of laparoscopic forceps 2.The laparoscopic forceps 2 include a handpiece 4 having a distal end 6and a proximal end 8. The handpiece 4 also includes at least oneoperable mechanism 50. A tubular member 20 has a proximal end 24 that isconnected to the distal end 6 of the handpiece 4. The tubular member 20includes a distal end 22 that includes jaws 40 extending therefrom. Thejaws 40 have arcuate segments 42 that open and close the jaws 40 whenthe tubular member 20 is moved forward along the longitudinal axis 26 ofthe tubular member into contact with the arcuate segments 42 or the jaws40 are moved backwards along the longitudinal axis 26 into contact withthe tubular member 20.

FIG. 2A1 illustrates a perspective view of a tubular member 20. Thetubular member 20 includes a distal opening 28 for legs of the jaws andthe jaws 40 (not shown) to extend from the tubular member 20.

FIG. 2A2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member 20 ofFIG. 2A1 along lines 2A2-2A2. The tubular member 20 is generally squarein shape and includes top and bottom flat portions 30 and opposing flatside wall portions 30. The legs of the jaws 44 extend through thetubular member 20 and the square shape of the tubular member 20constrains the legs of the jaws 44 so that axial movement of the legs 44within the tubular member 20 closes the jaws (not shown) reliably one ontop of the other.

FIG. 2B1 illustrates a perspective view of a tubular member 20. Thetubular member 20 includes a distal opening 28 for legs of the jaws andthe jaws 40 (not shown) to extend from the tubular member 20.

FIG. 2B2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member 20 ofFIG. 2B1 along line 2B2-2B2. The tubular member 20 is generally oblongin shape and includes top and bottom flat portions 30 in a distalregion. The legs of the jaws 44 extend through the tubular member 20 andthe flat portions 30 of the tubular member 20 constrains the legs of thejaws 44 so that axial movement of the legs 44 or the tubular member 20closes the jaws (not shown) reliably one on top of the other.

FIG. 2C1 illustrates a perspective view of a tubular member 20. Thetubular member 20 includes a distal opening 28 for legs of the jaws andthe jaws 40 (not shown) to extend from the tubular member 20.

FIG. 2C2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tubular member 20 ofFIG. 2C1 along line 2C2-2C2. The tubular member 20 is generally oblongin shape and includes top and bottom scalloped portions 32. The legs ofthe jaws 44 extend through the tubular member 20 and the scallopedportions 32 of the tubular member 20 constrains the legs of the jaws 44so that axial movement of the legs 44 or the tubular member 20 closesthe jaws (not shown) reliably one of top of the other.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of an end of the tubular member 20 or acamming shaft that may be placed within the tubular member 20. Thetubular member 20 includes a pair of internal flat portions 30 along thetop surfaces and the bottom surfaces. A blade recess 34 extends betweenthe pair of internal flat portions 30 so that a blade (not shown)extends out of the tubular member 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tubular member 20. Thetubular member 20 includes a plurality of pocket surfaces 36. Theplurality of pocket surfaces 36 include at least a portion that has acomplementary shape to that of the legs of the jaws 44 so that as thetubular member 20 or the legs 44 axially move the pocket surfaces 36control the orientation and movement of the jaws (not shown). A bladerecess 34 extends between the pocket surfaces 36 so that the blade (notshown) extends through the distal opening 28 of the tubular member.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the tubular member 20 of FIG. 4. Asshown, the tubular member 20 has a distal opening 28 at one end.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of a cross-sectional view of atubular member 20. The tubular member 20 includes a blade recess 34 downthe center between the legs of the jaws 44. The tubular member 20includes a pocket surface 36 for receiving each of the legs of the jaws44. FIG. 6 as illustrated is taken at a different cross-sectionallocation as FIG. 4, however. FIG. 4 may be taken at the samecross-sectional location as FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one example of a camming shaft70 that is inserted into a tubular member (not shown). The camming shaft70 includes a molded flare 74 with a pair of protrusions 72 extendingtherefrom.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the camming shaft 70 with a moldedflare 74 and a pair of protrusions 72 extending from the molded flare74.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the camming shaft 70. The camming shaftincludes a molded flare 74 with a pair of protrusions 72. Each of theprotrusions 72 include a sidewall 76.

FIG. 10 illustrates an end view of a camming shaft 70. The sidewalls 76of the camming shaft 70 have a flat portion 30 on the inside of thecamming shaft 70.

FIG. 11 illustrates a camming shaft 70 located on the laparoscopicforceps 2 with the jaws 40 extending therefrom. The jaws 40 include apair of arcuate sections 42 that are biased by the camming shaft 70 sothat the jaws 40 are opened and closed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of jaws 40 including a spacing memberlocated between the jaws. The jaws 40 include a heel 46 and a front 48.Proximate to the heel 46 are a pair of opposing arcuate segments 42 thatclose the opposing jaws 40 when the shaft 20 is moved into contact withthe opposing jaws 40. When the shaft 20 is retracted a spacing member 90located on a camming shaft 70 moves the jaws 40 apart. The spacingmember 90 is a pair of pins 92 that extend from the camming member 70.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the jaws 40. The jaws 40 areclosed by the tubular member 20 being moved into a forward position. Thetubular member 20 includes a camming shaft 70 with a spacing member 90.The spacing member 90 is a pair of pins 92 that are cantilever andextend from the camming shaft 70 so that a blade recess 34 is locatedbetween the two cantilever pins 92.

FIG. 14A illustrates a perspective view of another example of a spacingmember 90. The spacing member 90 extends from a camming shaft 70 that isconnected to a tubular member 20. The spacing members 90 are crimps 94that are formed by folding material together. The crimps 94 include ablade recess 34 therebetween so that a blade (not shown) can extendbetween the crimps 94.

FIG. 14B illustrates a plan view of an opening in the camming shaft 70.The camming shaft 70 includes a pair of spacing members 90. The pair ofspacing members 90 are crimps 94 with a blade recess 34 extendingtherebetween.

FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 cut along lines15-15. The jaws 40 extend from a tubular member 20. The spacing member90, which is configured as a pin 92 extends directly from the tubularmember 20.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of the jaws 40 in an openposition. The jaws 40 include an arcuate segment 42 on each leg 44 ofthe jaw 40. The tubular member 20 is moved into a retracted position andmoves the spacing member 90 towards a proximal end so that as thespacing member 90 is moved toward the proximal end the legs 44 of thejaw 40 are moved apart and the jaws 40 are opened. The spacing member 90is a pair of pins 92 that extend from the tubular member 20 and have ablade recess 34 therebetween.

FIG. 17A illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft 70. Thecamming shaft 70 includes a pair of spacing members 90 with a bladerecess 34 extending between the spacing members 90. Each of the spacingmembers include a bar 96 and a bulbous portion 98 that has an expandedthickness relative to the side of the bar 96.

FIG. 17B illustrates a front view of the camming shaft 70 with thespacing members 90 extending therefrom and a blade recess 34 locatedtherebetween. The bulbous portion 98 is shown covering the bar 96 sothat the bar 96 is not shown.

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the forceps 2. The jaws 40dosed around the spacing member 90. The spacing member 90 includes a bar96 and a bulbous portion 98 that mirror the shape of the arcuate portion42. The arcuate portion 42 is being contacted by the tubular member 20so that the jaws 40 are closed. The end of the tubular member 20includes a camming shaft 70 that assists in guiding the jaws 40 withinthe tubular member 20. A blade 10 is shown within the tubular member 20and extending along the legs 44.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the forceps 2 of FIG. 18in an open state.

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the forceps 2 with the jaws 40in an open state. As illustrated, the tubular member 20 is in aretracted position so that the spacing member is moved backwards alongthe legs 44 so that the mushroom pin 100 of the spacing member 90separates the legs 44 and the jaws 40.

FIG. 21 illustrates an end view of the forceps 2 of FIG. 20. The jaws 40as shown extend out of a tubular member 20. The pair of opposing jaws 40are separated by a pair of spacing members 90 that include a mushroompin 100 that forces the jaws 44 apart when the tubular member 20 isretracted so that the jaws 44 from an open position.

FIG. 22 illustrates an exploded view of the forceps 2 of FIG. 20. Theforceps include a tubular member 20 including a pair of opposing spacingmembers 90. The tubular member 20 includes a guide 60 with a pair of jawshaft guides 64 and a blade shaft guide 62 extending therethrough sothat the jaw shafts 41 and the blade shaft 12 are guided through thetubular member 20 during movement of the opposing jaws 40. A pair ofspacers 14 are located between the tubular member 20 and the guide 60.The forceps 2 include a blade 10 and a blade shaft 12 that are guidedthrough and along the blade shaft guide 62. The jaws 40 are eachconnected to a jaw shaft 41 that extends through a pair of jaw shaftguides 64.

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a camming shaft 70. Thecamming shaft 70 includes a pair of spaced apart pins 92 that extendfrom a sidewall 76 that include padding 78.

FIG. 24 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the camming shaft 70 ofFIG. 23 cut along line 24-24. The camming shaft 70 includes a pin 92including tapered portions 102 for guiding the legs (not shown).

FIG. 25A illustrates a side view of a camming shaft 70. The cammingshaft 70 includes an ear 80 that has a generally rectangular shape.

FIG. 25B illustrates a side view of a camming shaft 70 with an ear 80that has a generally circular shape.

FIG. 26 illustrates a tubular member 20 with a camming shaft 70 in theopening of the tubular member 20 and a pin 92 extending across theopening of the tubular member 20 and the camming shaft 70. A blade 10 isshown with a pin recess 16 so that the pin 92 extends through the blade12 and the blade is longitudinally movable.

FIG. 27 illustrates a perspective view of an end of a distal end 6 oflaparoscopic forceps 2. The distal end includes a tubular member 20connected to a pair of opposing jaws 40. The tubular member includes aspacing member 90 that is configured as a pin 92. The tubular memberalso includes a camming shaft 70 that includes a pin 92 extending therethrough. The pin 92 of the camming shaft 70 is connected to pivot joints52 of the jaws 40. The jaws 40 include legs 44 that are covered with aprotective cover 43 and the legs 44 have a blade track 49 extendingbetween the legs 44. When the jaws 40 are closed the blade 10 extendsthrough the blade track 49 to perform a cutting function. The blade 10includes a pin recess 16 that the pins 92 extend through so that theblade 10 is axially movable.

FIG. 28 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the laparoscopic forceps 2of FIG. 27 cut along lines 28-28. The laparoscopic forceps 2 include atubular member 20. The tubular member 20 has an inner tube 120 and anouter tube 122 that extends along a portion of the inner tube 120 and ablade shaft 12, and the blade 10 extends through the tubular member 20and the inner tube 120. The inner tube 120 includes a camming shaft 70that has a pin 92 extending across the camming shaft 70. The pin 92 isconnected to a pivot joint 52 of the jaws 40. A spacing member 90configured as a pin 92 is located in front of the pin 92 of the cammingshaft 70. The spacing member 90 separates the jaws 40 when the jaws aremoved distally or the tubular member 20 is moved proximally. The jaws 40include an arcuate section 42 in the legs 44 that assists in closing thejaws 40 when the arcuate sections 42 contact the tubular member 20. Ablade 10 is located between the jaws 40.

FIG. 29 illustrates an exploded view of laparoscopic forceps 2. Thelaparoscopic forceps 2 include a tubular member 20 that includes anouter tube 122 that houses an inner tube 120 and a blade shaft 12. Thetubular member 20 includes a camming shaft 70 including a spacing member90 that is configured as a pin 92. The spacing member 90 is locateddistal of a pin 92 of the inner tube 120. A guide 60 is located withinthe inner tube 120. The guide includes blade shaft guides 62 and a jawshaft guide 64 that receives the blade shaft 12. The blade shaft 12 isconnected to a blade 10 that extends between a pair of opposing jaws 40.The pair of opposing jaws 40 each include a pivot joint 52 that isconnected to a pin 92 of the inner tube 120.

FIG. 30 illustrates a jaw 40. The jaw 40 includes legs 44 having anarcuate section 42 that assist in closing the jaws 40. The legs 44include a blade track 49 extending therebetween. The jaws 40 include aprotective cover 43 that extends from heel 46 to the front 48 of thejaws 40. A pivot joint 52 is located at a proximate end of the jaw 40 sothat the jaw 40 can pivot from an open position to a closed position.

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of a handpiece 4 of laparoscopic forceps2 with a cover removed. A tubular member 20 is extending from thehandpiece 4. The tubular member is in communication with a biasingmember 150 and locking member 152 that move the outer tube 122 relativeto the inner tube 120 (not shown).

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lowervalue to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that thereis a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and anyhigher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of acomponent or a value of a process variable such as, for example,temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90,preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intendedthat values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. areexpressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are lessthan one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 asappropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intendedand all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and allnumbers between the endpoints. The use of “about” or “approximately” inconnection with a range applies to both ends of the range. Thus, “about20 to 30” is intended to cover “about 20 to about 30”, inclusive of atleast the specified endpoints.

The disclosures of all articles and references, including patentapplications and publications, are incorporated by reference for allpurposes. The term “consisting essentially of” to describe a combinationshall include the elements, ingredients, components or steps identified,and such other elements ingredients, components or steps that do notmaterially affect the basic and novel characteristics of thecombination. The use of the terms “comprising” or “including” todescribe combinations of elements, ingredients, components or stepsherein also contemplates embodiments that consist essentially of theelements, ingredients, components or steps. By use of the term “may”herein, it is intended that any described attributes that “may” beincluded are optional.

Plural elements, ingredients, components or steps can be provided by asingle integrated element, ingredient, component or step. Alternatively,a single integrated element, ingredient, component or step might bedivided into separate plural elements, ingredients, components or steps.The disclosure of “a” or “one” to describe an element, ingredient,component or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements,ingredients, components or steps.

It is understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments as well as manyapplications besides the examples provided will be apparent to those ofskill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of theteachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to theabove description, but should instead be determined with reference tothe appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to whichsuch claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles andreferences, including patent applications and publications, areincorporated by reference for all purposes. The omission in thefollowing claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosedherein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it beregarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to bepart of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

We claim:
 1. A laparoscopic forceps comprising: a) a handpiece; b) abiasing member; c) a tubular member including: i. an outer tube, and ii.an inner tube, wherein the outer tube and inner tube are configured forrelative axial motion when acted upon by the biasing member; and d) twoor more jaws that extend out of the tubular member and the two or morejaws pivot on a common axis that is anchored to the inner tube, whereineach of the two or more jaws has an arcuate section; e) a blade and theblade includes a pin recess that receives a portion of a pin so that theblade is movable along a longitudinal axis of the tubular member;wherein the outer tube, during actuation of the biasing member, overrunsthe two or more jaws so that the two or more jaws are moved towards eachother; wherein one or more spacing members extend across a distalopening of the tubular member and between the two or more jaws; andwherein the two or more jaws are closable by the relative movement ofthe tubular member and the two or more jaws towards each other so thatthe tubular member advances over the arcuate section of the two or morejaws, and the two or more are openable by the relative movement of thetubular member and the two or more jaws away from each other so that theone or more spacing members extend between the two or more jaws so thatthe two or more jaws are moved apart.
 2. The laparoscopic forceps ofclaim 1, wherein the common axis is a pin that connects each of the twoor more jaws to the tubular member.
 3. The laparoscopic forceps of claim1, wherein a spacing member is connected to the outer tube so that thespacing member drives the two or more jaws apart.
 4. The laparoscopicforceps of claim 1, wherein the handpiece includes a distal end portion.5. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 4, wherein the tubular memberprotrudes from the distal end portion of the handpiece and the tubularmember has a distal end and a distal opening.
 6. The laparoscopicforceps of claim 5, wherein the two or more jaws have legs that aredisposed within the tubular member and partially protrude from thedistal opening in the distal end of the tubular member and the two ormore jaws and the tubular member are movable relative to each other in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. 7.The laparoscopic forceps of claim 6, wherein each of the two or morejaws has an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between thetwo or more jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the tubular member.
 8. The laparoscopic forcepsof claim 7, wherein the laparoscopic forceps include a camming shaftthat is located in the distal end of the tubular member.
 9. Thelaparoscopic forceps of claim 8, wherein the one or more spacing membersare a pair of opposing pins that include a blade recess therebetween,one continuous spacing member that extends across the distal opening ofthe tubular member, or both.
 10. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 9,wherein the one or more spacing members include a generally mushroomshape and/or are crimped material of the tubular member, the cammingshaft, or both.
 11. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 10, wherein theone or more spacing members are one or more bars that extend out of thedistal opening of the tubular member along the longitudinal axis of thetubular member.
 12. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 11, wherein theone or more bars each include a bulbous portion at an end that increasesa size of each of the one or more bars so that when the bulbous portioncontacts the two or more jaws, the legs of the two or more jaws, or bothas the two or more jaws are moved apart.
 13. The laparoscopic forceps ofclaim 12, wherein the laparoscopic forceps include a blade and the bladehas a pin recess that extends along the longitudinal axis of the tubularmember, and the one or more spacing members extend through the pinrecess so that the blade is extendable and retractable.
 14. Thelaparoscopic forceps of claim 13, wherein the jaws include a pivot jointthat the jaws rotate about to open and close.
 15. The laparoscopicforceps of claim 14, wherein the inner tube extends within all or aportion of the outer tube.
 16. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 15,wherein a spacing members maintains the jaws in an open state.
 17. Thelaparoscopic forceps of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes ablade recess.
 18. The laparoscopic forceps of claim 1, wherein thetubular member includes internal flat portions.
 19. The laparoscopicforceps of claim 1, wherein the tubular member includes a one or morepocket surfaces and the one or more pocket surfaces are complementary inshape to the legs of the two or more jaws.